infantilism

[ in-fuhn-tl-iz-uhm, -tahy-liz-, in-fan-tl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the persistence in an adult of markedly childish anatomical, physiological, or psychological characteristics.
2. an infantile act, trait, etc., especially in an adult.
3. a speech disorder characterized by speech and voice patterns that are typical of very young children.

infantilism

/ ɪnˈfæntɪˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. psychol
   1. a condition in which an older child or adult is mentally or physically undeveloped
   2. isolated instances of infantile behaviour in mature persons
2. childish speech; baby talk

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantilism¹

First recorded in 1890–95; infantile + -ism

Example Sentences

The separation of those functions inoculates Britain from the infantilism peculiar to the American republic.

From Washington Post

It’s a childish move, but in keeping with the infantilism that still shapes the brothers’ uneasy relationship and their awkwardness with outsiders, particularly women.

From New York Times

Others might speculate on this, but only I can truly channel Trump, since only I possess the requisite degree of infantilism:

From Washington Post

Biden’s grown-up respect for institutional proprieties might be infectious, encouraging temperateness among his dissatisfied countrymen, 74 million of whom voted for four more years of infantilism.

From Washington Post

Here, I thought, is finally a moment where we shed the infantilism inherent in favoring mythology over truth.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• ignorance
• imperfection